Two-time World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanperä will begin his single-seater journey in January in New Zealand, where he will compete in the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) with Hitech TGR. As a result, one of rallying’s most successful modern drivers will take his first formal steps towards a future in circuit racing. Moreover, his decision underlines the growing reputation of the New Zealand-based championship as a serious development platform for elite drivers.
A symbolic first step away from rallying
Following confirmation of his retirement from full-time rallying, Rovanperä made it clear that he now intends to pursue a long-term career in single-seaters. Consequently, he will join the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing-supported championship as part of a carefully planned transition away from the World Rally Championship. At just 25 years old, the Finnish star believes the timing is right to embrace a fresh challenge.
Reflecting on that decision, Rovanperä said: “It has not been an easy choice by any means. “I have already achieved so much in rallying and I have achieved those things at a young age. “It feels like the right timing to pursue my next dreams and challenges. We’ve been making some good plans to prepare the best ways possible so that I can make the most of this opportunity. I’m really looking forward to pushing myself in the world of single seater.”
Joining Hitech for the CTFROT Campaign
Rovanperä will contest the championship with Hitech in the highly regarded 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy. The 2026 season will run across four consecutive weekends, with two rounds in New Zealand’s North Island and two in the South Island. Importantly, the campaign will conclude with the 70th New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands Motorsport Park, one of the most historic events in the region.
In addition, the championship’s demanding circuits will provide a stern test. Their unforgiving nature makes them an ideal training ground for drivers preparing for northern hemisphere campaigns later in the year.
Preparing for Super Formula in 2026
After completing his New Zealand programme, Rovanperä will step up to Japan’s Super Formula championship, which begins at Motegi in April 2026. Therefore, the CTFROT will serve as a vital foundation for his next phase in circuit racing, taking place just two months before his Super Formula debut.
Although his circuit racing experience remains limited, he already gained valuable knowledge during 2024. During a year away from full-time rallying, he competed in Porsche GT3 Cup machinery and demonstrated strong adaptability outside his usual discipline.
From rally prodigy to a new challenge on the global stage
Rovanperä arrives in New Zealand with one of the most remarkable résumés in modern motorsport. He joined the top level of the WRC with Toyota at just 19 in 2020. Over the following seasons, he reset expectations for young drivers. Not only did he become the youngest-ever WRC podium finisher and rally winner, but he also secured his first world title at Rally New Zealand in 2022, just one day after his 22nd birthday. Moreover, he defended that title successfully in 2023, becoming a double World Champion before the age of 23. As the son of former WRC driver Harri Rovanperä, he also carries a deep motorsport heritage into this new chapter.
Now, Rovanperä turns his focus firmly towards single-seaters. Ultimately, his appearance in the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy represents far more than a guest entry. Instead, it marks the beginning of a carefully structured transformation, as one of rallying’s greatest young talents sets his sights on the highest levels of circuit racing.
